Garces' gem lifts Storm over Rancho Cucamonga

RANCHO CUCAMONGA  Frank Garces knew the importance of making a good first impression.

After earning nine wins in 25 starts last season with Single-A Fort Wayne, the 23-year-old put together an impressive California League debut on Friday night in Rancho Cucamonga.

The Dominican Republic born Garces allowed only two hits and struck out nine batters as Lake Elsinore defeated Rancho Cucamonga, 6-2.

“He is a sneaky lefty,” Storm manager Shawn Wooten said. “Batters don’t really realize how hard he is throwing until the ball is already up on them, and that showed tonight when he had a lot of them swinging late.”

Wooten said he heard plenty of positive reports on Garces. Yet he was glad to see last year’s success carry over to the new season.

“To do what he did against a pretty good hitting team, it was definitely great to see,” Wooten said.

Garces said he was pleased with his first outing and couldn’t have asked for a better start.

“I felt in full control, I was throwing strikes and working hard,” Garces said through a translator. “I was able to get ahead of the count and work my fastball inside and away.”

Garces, who was signed by the Padres in 2011, opened Friday’s contest by retiring the first nine batters he faced in order.

Friday also marked the second time in as many nights that the Storm faced a rehabbing major leaguer, this time in the Dodger’s Ted Lilly. The Storm didn’t do any favors for the former Cal Leaguer who no-hit the Storm nearly 16 years ago.

Lake Elsinore collected nine hits against Lilly, including three solo homers, two off the bat of left fielder Kyle Gaedele.

“It’s a great test for our team to see some established pitchers right off the bat,” Gaedele said. “It shows us where we are at, and I think that we battled well against them.”

Added Wooten: “Anytime these kids can come out here and get a hit off a big leaguer, it’s a big deal for them.”